[Vauxhall]

This July I purchased 1 Peugeot 2008 2019 from a reputable dealer. They did a service on the vehicle the day before I collected it and they also offered me a £900 three year warranty on the vehicle. Since then a number of people told me to make sure the correct oil is used and that the wet belt is changed after 62000 miles or 5 years whichever is the sooner. Its done 34000 miles and the service was due March 2024. However on the service reports there is no reference to a wet belt change, neither is there any sticker or anything under the bonnet suggesting the wet belt was changed. I'm wondering if anyone here has been in a similar situation, Monday I will go to the dealers and take this up with them but any useful tips on how to approach this would be appreciated, like for example when a dealer tells you the car you are about to buy has had its service the day before then would that imply a service done to manufacturers recommendations? The car cost £10400 so its not a case of you get what you paid for.

[Drivingforfun]

It's a bit of a tricky one really

A belt change isn't part of a normal car service (this is engine oil, often filters and sometimes spark plugs), but it's still considered a maintenance part that needs replacing

If the car was under the manufacturer warranty that it came with new, you'd be expected to change the belt within schedule (at your cost) if you want to preserve this warranty

Used car warranties are a minefield and not changing the belt on time would be fair game for them to invalidate your warranty, so in my opinion if they're selling you a warranty along with the car you're more than reasonable expecting them to sell you the car in such a state that the warranty is valid in the first place!

However I don't know how that works legally, it kind of sounds a bit like a way of the dealership getting a free and unconditional £900 from you

I guess you have 3 options if you still want the car

- negotiate a belt change into the deal
- don't buy the warranty
- buy the car then pay for the belt to be done yourself

[Rolebama]

At five years and 34000 miles, it would seem a new belt is not necessary, according to what you say above, and it is not considered replacement as a service item.. Extended warranties are generally not worth the paper they are printed on. There are always exclusions to what is covered along with the 'fair wear and tear', which they will always use to their advantage.

[Vauxhall]

Originally Posted by Drivingforfun

It's a bit of a tricky one really

A belt change isn't part of a normal car service (this is engine oil, often filters and sometimes spark plugs), but it's still considered a maintenance part that needs replacing

If the car was under the manufacturer warranty that it came with new, you'd be expected to change the belt within schedule (at your cost) if you want to preserve this warranty

Used car warranties are a minefield and not changing the belt on time would be fair game for them to invalidate your warranty, so in my opinion if they're selling you a warranty along with the car you're more than reasonable expecting them to sell you the car in such a state that the warranty is valid in the first place!

However I don't know how that works legally, it kind of sounds a bit like a way of the dealership getting a free and unconditional £900 from you

I guess you have 3 options if you still want the car

- negotiate a belt change into the deal
- don't buy the warranty
- buy the car then pay for the belt to be done yourself

It was a used car, as far as I can tell the dealers acquired the car from the previous owner at about the time the belt was due for renewal in March. They sold it to me end of July having done one of their services the day before passing it on to me. I now understand that the service would not have included changing a belt but I do think a brief check of belts would have been included, certainly I would have expected the service report to flag up the overdue belt replacement. The same dealers offered me the £900 three year breakdown warranty at the point of sale . Just seems to em they are sailing close to being dodgy. I am stuck with the car so all I can do is try and negotiate a price with them to replace the belt. Would not have brought the car if I'd known!

[Drivingforfun]

I don't know the ins and outs but you could look into a refund of the warranty, and put that £900 towards getting the belt changed

Without claiming to be an expert, far from it, I would have to respectfully disagree with Rolebama on the belt, I'd change it within whatever frame the manufacturer specifies, whether time- or mileage-based

The only time I'd ignore the manufacturer's recommendations is with a timing chain, if they say it never needs changing, because I'd change it anyway 😂

This is maybe just based on bad experience and cynicism, people can and do get away with not changing their timing belts

[Emma11656]

@Vauxhall Hey, I had a similar issue with my Peugeot 3008 and first of all, good you’re going to the dealer.They should have full service records, including info about the wet belt.If they didn’t change it as recommended, you can push for a free replacement.Keep an eye on this, neglect can be expensive.Additionally, it’s good to compare manufacturer’s recommendations with what the dealer said as sometimes they interpret things differently.Check your warranty too – it might cover the belt replacement! 😊

[NMNeil]

You need to watch this for a detailed explanation and a dire warning.

[Rolebama]

NMNeill: Thanks for putting that up. I don't know how many belts I have changed over the years because of oil contamination, and engine rebuilds as a result of belts failing through the same. I never thought much of the idea of a wet belt, but as more manufacturers started using them, I believed that a breakthrough had been made in belt structure. I was certainly not aware of the extent of the wet belt problem.

[NMNeil]

I believe the simple answer is cost cutting by the manufacturer rather than technological advancements.

[olduser]

Reminds me of the kings new clothes but what is missing is the little boy in the crowed to say, "But I can see the kings willy!".
In any organisation you have to be a believer or else you are out.